Romans 6 - 5.16.25
Scripture: Romans 6:19-23 NIV
“I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Observations:
The verse preceding Roman 3:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” added a deeper meaning to me as I read this.
This often quoted verse is part of an important lesson. Paul relates the change that takes place at salvation as not being slaves to sin anymore, but instead slaves to righteousness. Verse 18 says “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”
Using contrasting terms “set free” and “slaves” is thought provoking. How can we be both?
Being slaves to sin puts us in bondage and leads to death. As we choose to offer ourselves as slaves to righteousness the benefit we reap leads to holiness which results in eternal life. This gives Romans 3:23 more meaning. It also is an important message to share with others. Sin puts them in bondage and leads to death. However, the gift of eternal life is available to them.
Application:
Webster defines righteousness as:
1: acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin
2: morally right or justifiable
a righteous decision
I want to act in accord with God’s law. As I choose to serve and follow God in righteousness. It does not happen automatically or easily. Just as being a slave requires work. I need to put effort into following God and obey His word. When I do, I will reap wonderful rewards and the gift of eternal life. I included the slang for righteous because I think we should strive to be genuine and excellent in all we do.
Prayer:
Father God thank you for your gift of eternal life. It came with a great price. Jesus’ death in my place. Please give me a heart to serve you as a slave would serve their loving master. Help me to not keep this wonderful message to myself, but share it with others. May your kingdom be built here on Earth. Amen
- Cindy Howard
